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January 21, 2010

Toyota Recalls More than Two Million Autos Over Gas Pedal Defect

Toyota Motor Corp is recalling 2.3 million vehicles over a gas pedal defect that can cause mechanism problems involving the accelerator pedal. This is the automaker’s second massive recall related to a gas pedal defect. Toyota recalled about 4.26 million autos beginning last November after four family members died because the floor mat on the driver’s side caused the gas pedal to jam down and the Lexus to accelerate to speeds of over 100 mph.

Toyota’s reputation for making quality, safe cars has taken a beating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that Toyota recalled more autos than any other car manufacturer in 2009. In total, the automaker recalled 4.87 million vehicles, including 110,000 Tundra pickups over worries that the vehicles’ spare tires might fall onto the road, causing a potential traffic hazard.

Now, Safety Expert Sean Kane is reportedly telling ABC News that there have been over 60 new incidents involving runaway Toyotas since the automaker announced the November recall and said it would modify the affected vehicles’s gas pedals. Over the holiday season, four people died on December 26 after their Toyota drove off the road and landed upside down in a pond. The floor mats were in the trunk, where Toyota had advised car owners to put them.

Toyota says this latest recall isn’t related to the one from last November.

Defective car parts can be a significant safety hazard that can kill and seriously injure people. Injured parties and their families can find out whether they have a Boston auto products liability complaint on their hands.